Actor Hugh Jackman performs with host Neil Patrick Harris during the American Theatre Wing's 65th annual Tony Awards ceremony in New York, June 12, 2011.
Actor Hugh Jackman performs with host Neil Patrick Harris during the American Theatre Wing's 65th annual Tony Awards ceremony in New York, June 12, 2011. Reuters

Neil Patrick Harris, star of How I Met Your Mother, made a successful return for his second time hosting the Tony Awards on June 12, 2011.

Last night's Tony Awards opened with Harris' comic and edgy call to the theater, declaring that Broadway is not just for gays anymore. Harris and former Tony MC Hugh Jackman drew laughs and praise as they sang, danced and dueled it out in a very Great White Way.

The 65th Tony Awards ceremony was watched by 6.9 million viewers according to preliminary results.

The most-watched Tony Awards of the last five was hosted by Harris in 2009.

Reminiscing Harris' hosting the 2009 Tony Awards:

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